How does the author address the theme of self-determination in the novel, Dark Lord of Derkholm?

One important theme in this book is self-determination. On a personal level, Derk wants to be left in peace to use his powers as he sees fit, creating animals with new powers. Blade, Derk's son, wants to set the plan for his own life by receiving training as a wizard. On a larger scale, and most fundamentally, the people of this otherworld want to be free from the yoke of the tyrannical Mr. Chesney and his tours, which devastate the harvest, overrule the local authorities, and put the population at risk of life and limb.